CIC recommends placing of RTI query before Lok Sabha Speaker

[ganpat1956]

New Delhi, June 17: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has recommended that an RTI application questioning among other things the reasons for permitting MPS to draw remuneration even when the House was adjourned should be brought to the notice of the Lok Sabha Speaker.

"We wish to commend C P Rai's (applicant) conscientiousness as a citizen of the world's most vibrant democracy, reflected in his concern on the functioning of India's supreme representative body, the Lok Sabha of India," said Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah.

"We, therefore, recommend that his application with its expression of apprehensions and recommendations be placed before Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha for his information," Habibullah said in a recent decision.

The CIC's decision came on an RTI appeal, moved against the Lok Sabha (LS) Secretariat, inquiring among other issues, the reasons for which its members were permitted to draw remuneration even when the House stood adjourned.

The Commission, however, dismissed the appeal on grounds that the queries raised by Rai, in his application, were more in the form of suggestions and recommendations.

In his RTI application filed, on September 13 last year, with the LS Secretariat, the applicant had also inquired on the setting up of the Parliamentary Committee which passed a resolution on the issue of its members holding various offices of profit.

The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the LS Secretariat had, thereafter, forwarded Rai's query pertaining to its resolutions passed on the office of profit issue to the Ministry of Law and Justice.

In reply to Rai's query, the Law Ministry stated that the Parliament was empowered to constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee and that the resolution were adopted in pursuant to its power.

Dissatisfied with the response provided to him, Rai approached the Appellate Authority of the LS Secretariat which stated in its reply that the queries raised were in the nature of suggestions and arguments and did not seek any specific information.

The applicant, thereafter, moved an appeal before the Central Information Commission.

He brought to the CIC's notice his letter of August 15, 2002, addressed to the Lok Sabha Chairman referring to a news report which contended that crores of money was wasted due to "rowdy atmosphere" inside the House.

In his arguments before the Commission, Rai contended that he wanted to demonstrate the "use of public finance in the apex body of India's democratic institutions".

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[neeraj Chauhan]

hi evbody, It is quite right in my opinion clear reply should be given why Parliamentarians or Legislators should be paid , given official vehicle , paid official residence electricity bills , paid telephone bills etc. Because these things are meant for usage in the efficient discharge of official responsibilities. Keep it up - India Nick Chauhan